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Formazione continuaLifelong Learning

SYDIC summer school - Fourth edition of the Summer School of the Italian Society of System Dynamics

Tipologia:
Summer & Winter School
Area tematica:
Agrifood e ambiente; Agrifood e ambiente
Settore professionale:
Scuola, università, ricerca

Luogo:
Location: Piacenza

Da: 14/09/2026
A: 18/09/2026

Scadenza iscrizioni: 06/09/2026

DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE

The System Dynamics Italian Chapter (SYDIC) is national chapter of the System Dynamics Society, the international organisation devoted to the advancement of Systems Thinking and System Dynamics. SYDIC promotes the development and dissemination of these approaches in Italy through research activities, training initiatives, conferences and collaborations with academic and non-academic institutions.

The SYDIC Summer School is part of a broader initiative promoted by the Society to strengthen education and capacity building in Systems Thinking and System Dynamics. This edition continues a path that SYDIC has been actively pursuing in recent years: creating learning opportunities that combine methodological rigour with practical applications, while supporting the growth of a community of scholars, students and practitioners interested in systemic approaches.

Through collaborations with universities, research centres and other organisations, SYDIC aims to progressively expand its network and contribute to spreading knowledge of these disciplines and methodologies across different fields. Systems Thinking and System Dynamics are increasingly recognised internationally — including at the European level — as powerful approaches for analysing complex systems and supporting decision-making in areas such as sustainability, socio-economic transitions, innovation and resource management.

The fourth edition of the SYDIC Summer School is organised in collaboration with the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. SYDIC is particularly pleased to present this initiative in partnership with such a prestigious academic institution, whose strong commitment to research and higher education provides an ideal environment for fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and the development of systemic approaches to complex challenges.

Scarica il programma Digital brochure

Destinatari

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

The Summer School is aimed at an interdisciplinary and international audience, with the goal of welcoming participants with different levels of experience, thanks to a structure designed to support both newcomers to system modelling and those who wish to consolidate/deepen their skills.

The main target groups are:

  •  Master’s students (graduate students) interested in tools for complex-systems analysis and simulation;
  • PhD candidates and early-career researchers who want to integrate dynamic approaches and policy analysis into their research projects;
  •  Professionals working in applied research and/or decision-making who intend to use system modelling to support assessments, scenarios and strategies.

Participants may come from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including environmental and agricultural sciences, economics and management, engineering, social sciences, policy studies and governance.

All activities are delivered in English to encourage participation from across Europe and beyond, in a multicultural and interdisciplinary setting.

The programme is not tied to a single sector: participants can develop models on problems of their own interest (e.g., environmental transitions, technology diffusion, urban sustainability, health/social systems, and, when relevant, agro-food systems), interacting and consulting with expert instructors.

Vantaggi

ADVANTAGES:

The Summer School offers an intensive experience that balances methodological rigour with real-world applications, delivering concrete benefits for both researchers and practitioners involved in decision-making:

  • An intensive, interdisciplinary programme designed to build complex-systems understanding and modelling skills in a concentrated timeframe
  • An effective blend of teaching and practice: lectures, interactive discussions and hands-on modelling sessions to turn concepts into operational skills
  • End-to-end learning of the modelling process: from defining the problem and system boundaries, to building conceptual structures where variables are connected through causal relationships, to quantitative simulation and the assessment of policies/scenarios;guided project work: team-based work on real problems chosen by participants, with support throughout all phases (conceptualisation → simulation → policy analysis) and moments for discussion/presentation
  • High transferability: applications across multiple domains (sustainability, innovation, socio-economic transitions, resource management, etc.), with examples and case studies also on agro-food systems and related topics (e.g., circular economy and resource use), leveraging the local context hosting the initiative
  • Faculty and an international perspective: lecturers and tutors from academia and applied research, complemented by seminars and openness to international participants
  • High-quality networking: opportunities to build professional connections within the national and international System Dynamics community, supporting collaboration and academic/professional growth.
  • Final certificates of participation will be issued to all participants. If needed, participants may request credit recognition from their home university, in accordance with the relevant institutional regulations

Obiettivi

OBJECTIVE:

The Summer School aims to build and strengthen participants’ ability to understand, represent and simulate complex systems, integrating theory and practice. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • apply Systems Thinking principles to analyse complex problems (feedback, system boundaries, delays);
  • build qualitative models (e.g., CLDs) and recognise recurring archetypes;
  • develop quantitative stock-and-flow models, run simulations and interpret dynamic behaviour;
  • use modelling to explore policies/interventions and scenarios in different fields (sustainability, innovation, socio-economic transitions, resources, etc.);
  • apply what they have learned by working in groups on a modelling project, presenting results and lessons learned.

Programma

MAIN PROGRAM:

The System Dynamic Summer School SYDIC has a five days intensive programme organised into integrated teaching blocks (fundamentals, modelling tools, applications and project work), guiding participants from problem conceptualisation to simulation and the assessment of policies/scenarios.

Summer school will take place at the Residenza Gasparini (Strada dell’Anselma 9, Piacenza) from September 14 (monaday) to September 18 (friday), 2026, for a total of 32 hours, including lectures and practical sessions.

At the end of the program, a certificate of participation will be issued. Upon request, it is possible to apply for credit recognition at your home university, in accordance with the applicable regulations


Detailed program is avaible at "scarica il programma" button

Faculty

STEFANO ARMENIA Scientific Committee
ALBERTO STANISLAO ATZORI Scientific Committee
MADDALENA CANOSSA Scientific Committee
ANTONIO GALLO Scientific Coordinator

Iscrizioni

HOW TO REGISTER:

Participants will be admitted in order of enrollment, within the limit of 35 participants. If the minimum number is not reached, the school will be cancelled and the fee refunded.

To register, it is necessary to complete the online form and finalize payment at the time of registration.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:

  • early registration (for discount rates): expired 2 June
  • regular registration: expired 6 September

Payment can be made by:

  • by credit card (VISA,MASTERCARD,AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINERS,UNIONPAY, JCB)
  • By bank transfer to the bank account indicated at the beginning of registration
  • The receipt of bank transfer is to be sent by email to formazione.permanente-pc@unicatt.it no later than 5 days after registration.
  • Registration will be confirmed and the receipt issued following payment.

The fee includes:

  • Course attendace and teaching material
  • Coffee break
  • Lunch (Monday-Friday)
  • Certificate of attendance and open badge


SCOLARSHIPS

Possibility to access to 2 scholarships covering the registration fee for candidates who are student or PhD student of under 32 years of age. In addition, applicants must submit a CV and a motivation letter in order to participate in the summer school. Applications must be submitted to SYDIC by June 2. After that date, the applications will be evaluated and the winners will be notified within 20 days, after which the selected candidates may proceed with enrollment. Application by email to: segreteria@systemdynamics.it


ACCOMODATION

  • On campus at the student residence Residenza Gasparini
  • Hotel City, 10 minute-walk from the course venue. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore has a discount program with this hotel.
  • Other housing options can be booked through regular booking websites and Airbnb.
  • Contact us for a complete list of partner hotels at discounted rates.


REGISTRATION FEES


450,00 Vat included - early registration (until 2 June) - standard fee
375,00 Vat included - early registration (until 2 June) - SYDIC members (20% discount rate)
375,00 Vat included - early registration (until 2 June) - PHD students
550,00 Vat included - regular registration - standard fee
465,00 Vat included - regular registration - SYDIC members (20% discount rate)
465,00 Vat included - regular registration - PHD students

Partner

  • SYDIC - System Dynamics Italian Chapter

Download

Info e Contatti

For further information


Dott.ssa Claudia Vacchelli

Formazione Permanente Piacenza- Cremona

Tel. 0523 599393

claudia.vacchelli@unicatt.it


Or

Segreteria SYDIC

segreteria@systemdynamics.it